Art & Design Major

Common Career Paths

Studio artist

Interior design

Arts administration

Fashion design

Art education

Commercial photography

Graphic design and marketing

Publishing

Arts ministry

Museum/gallery curator

Art therapy

Art restoration

If you have a passion for art and design, you’ll feel right at home at George Fox University. We offer instruction in painting, printmaking, ceramics, photography, design, digital art and many other media – all within a Christian college environment where professors know you by name.

As an art & design major at George Fox, you will get the chance to develop your artistic gifts and find a curriculum that cultivates that talent and prepares you for your chosen path – whether you plan to pursue a career as a practicing artist, designer or, after graduate work, as an educator at the secondary or college levels. Choose from four concentrations – fashion design, graphic design, interior design or studio art – or opt for an interdisciplinary major that combines art with another field of study.

Fashion Design

Do you have a passion for fashion? Learn how to design and make clothing and accessories worthy of the runway, use computer-aided design (CAD) programs, analyze the market and more.

Graphic Design

From posters and logos to websites and ads, graphic designers know how to capture attention, communicate a message, and spark a response. Classes emphasize application over theory, and help you to develop a strong portfolio to launch your career. Watch a video

Interior Design

Interior designers know that our surroundings influence both our productivity and our relaxation. This concentration prepares students for careers in interior design, housing and home planning, kitchen and bath design, home furnishings and more.

Studio Arts

Art majors concentrating in studio arts can specialize in painting, ceramics, drawing, photography, sculpture, mixed media or printmaking. We also feature a ceramics and sculpture facility that allows students to explore pottery and various sculpture mediums. Seniors have the opportunity to set up their own studio space in the art annex, and there is access to an anagama kiln where students get to practice the ancient process of wood-firing ceramics. Our art major students also have opportunities to work with distinguished guest artists from the Northwest and around the country.

Request information about the art & design major at George Fox University or apply now to begin your education at Oregon's Christian university, ranked as one of the top Christian colleges in the nation by Forbes.

Jobs, Internships and Graduate School

Job Outlook

There has never been a better time to be an artist. The Internet and digital communications have made this the most visual time in the history of humankind. Artists are trained to be creative problem-solvers, and in an increasing global marketplace, there is no more valuable commodity. Our art alumni have been highly successful in placement as teachers at all levels; they are sought after as designers in the commercial world; they are actively engaged in a wide variety of ministries; and they have been extremely successful in admission to graduate schools.

Related Majors

What we offer …

Our small classes allow students to benefit from frequent one-to-one mentoring. The university’s 13.6-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio allows for plenty of personal attention.

Broad curriculum

Students take a liberal-arts curriculum that helps broaden perspectives and contributes to an appreciation and understanding of all aspects of society. All classes are taught from a Christian worldview where faith is integrated with learning.

Faculty expertise

Each faculty member is a trained professional artist in his or her field of expertise, bringing wisdom and experience on both local and national scales. Our professors care about you as an individual and enjoy mentoring visual artists who value creativity, innovation, conviction, and historical perspective.

Quality facilities

George Fox is home to two art galleries, the Roger and Mildred Minthorne Gallery and the Donald H. Lindgren Gallery, which host several shows each year.

External outings

You’ll have access to the Portland Art Museum and numerous art galleries in the Portland area. Faculty members regularly take students to downtown Portland to explore the current art scene. Newberg is also home to regular art events, and a number of students have exhibited in local galleries.

Global opportunities

Nearly half of George Fox undergraduate students participate in an international experience. The university ranks among the top 60 out of 1,800 American colleges in study-abroad participation.

National recognition

George Fox University is a Christian university classified by U.S. News & World Report as a first-tier regional university, and Forbes ranks George Fox highest among Christian colleges in the country.

Art & DesignStudent Experiences

“One thing I loved about learning design at George Fox was the push from professors to get involved with real-world design problems. Applying what I was learning in class to real-world projects made the teaching come alive and helped me to understand everything from design principles to the business methods needed to make a happy client.”

- Ryan Littrell ('05)

“The best preparation I had at George Fox was working with real clients. We went through the entire creative process together, with real people to answer our questions and offer truthful feedback to our solutions.”